Tracks

We drove. That was the weirdest part. The five of us climbed into Chris’ truck—me, Lincoln, and Owen in the bed—and drove the ten minute walk into the village. I thought it was the stupidest thing in the world—and said so—until Lincoln reminded me who the front seat passenger was.

“Leila Eliza Callaghan: teen shopper extraordinaire. If we don’t drive, we make six trips back and forth gathering all her things.”

I gave him a pained look. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. I’ve known her my whole life; I’m still not used to it.”

I look over at Owen. “And you?”

“I just know when to keep my mouth shut,” he quipped, throwing an arm over the side of the truck and lazily sprawling out.

I sighed. “And I’m guessing the fact that I could care less about malls and sales and clothes and all that doesn’t make a difference?”

Lincoln laughed and rubbed my shoulder companionably. “Not a one.”

“Ter-freaking-rific.”

Since it was mid-morning by now, the town was finally wide awake. Last night, on the way back from the airport, it had been pretty dead—the folks either in the bars or settled at home—and when I’d gone for my…uh, trip, it had been a complete ghost town. Now, however, in the disgusting heat of the morning with the sun baking down on us, it was bustling. Men, women and children going this way and that; folks eating outside—on benches or on the ground if it pleased them; a group of teenagers throwing an American football around like a couple of amateurs. I couldn’t help chuckling as I watched their mediocre skills. If Aaron had been here, we’d have kicked all their asses in a second.

But he wasn’t.

Chris parked behind a place called Ripper’s and the five of us climbed out. “What is this, a nod to Jack?” I quipped dryly, nodding to the two story stone establishment as we walked around to the front.

Chris shook his head, immediately sliding his hand into Leila’s and leaning down to kiss her head. On instinct, I winced. I’d never been one very into the lovey-dovey, romantic crap. And I’d had a hell of a lot of fun joking him whenever Aaron had brought up a new girl he was into. Somehow, though, I didn’t think Leila would appreciate my jokes quite the same way.

“It’s the liquor store,” Chris explained, tapping the window as we passed and waving in to the proprietor. “No one makes it finer than Jimmy,” he said with a grin.

“Except Bobby,” Leila said with a wink. She gestured to a building a little ways away, and the sign over the door called it Lassie’s Pub. “Makes the finest Guinness in these parts and doesn’t charge ye for more than its worth. Damn brilliant, he is.”

There was just one thing I couldn’t get past. “Lassie? As in, the dog?”

Lincoln choked on a laugh. “Lassie as in girl, maiden, female,” he said, ruffling my hair like I was a little kid. Somehow, it didn’t make me want to break his fingers. “Remember, darling, this isn’t America anymore.”

I took a deep breath. “Don’t I know it.” I turned away from both pub and boy and looked at my cousin. “So, which way to the first of the gallows?”

Leila’s face broke out in a proud grin, completely ignoring my jibe. “I’m very glad ye asked.” She turned to her left and pointed to a shop straight across from where we were standing. It was a small little cottage place, the size of a townhouse, made of gray stones and covered on the left with moss. I couldn’t help but wonder if that was a health code violation. The sign dangling above the door said one word, Seamstress.

“Okay…” I said, at the same time Owen and Lincoln groaned. I looked between them.

Leila gave them a look. “Lads…ye knew this was coming…”

“But today?” Lincoln whined.

“If not now, then when?” she demanded, folding her arms across her chest.

“Lei…” Owen moaned.

“Whoa, hold up. What’s this all about?” I wanted to know.

Lincoln looked at me, and the pain on his face almost made me laugh. This wasn’t the same kind of pain I felt every time I remembered my brother; this was the kind of pain one felt when forced to do something against his will. It was a look I’d gotten used to seeing after years of forcing my brother to go bra shopping with me. When you’re on the side of the enforcer, it’s incredibly fun.

Somehow, I knew I wasn’t going to be on that side this time.

“Every summer there’s an annual ball,” Lincoln began grudgingly. “A celebration in honor of our ancestors. Or rather, theirs.” He pointed to his Irish friends.

“Everyone dresses up in old, medieval costumes, and all the local restaurants cater it, and there’s music and dancing all night long,” Owen went on, his expression as full of dread as Lincoln’s.

“Aunt Brenna always volunteers to be in charge of the decorations and the lot of us help out where we can,” Chris said.

“And every year, we do such an amazing job, that its great fun for everyone!” Leila finished, clapping her hands together and grinning. “So just like always, we have to get our costumes refitted. I already brought them all to Mary last week. So…” And she turned a raised brow on the two boys who continued to look pained.

“C’mon now, Lei. There’s no way we’ve grown that much in the past year,” Lincoln insisted. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

“We’ve got a reputation to uphold, Lincoln, and ye know it. And aye, ye’ve grown. At least a few inches. And Chris has slimmed down a bit. Owen, you ripped the knee of yours a bit last year so that’s needing adjusting. Stop whining, you lot.” She swung her gaze between Lincoln and Owen. “It shan’t take too long.”

“You always say that.”

“Of course she does. She actually enjoys this part,” Owen chimed in, pointing at Leila accusingly.

Lincoln rolled his eyes. “Because of course the ribbons on her gown must change every year.”

Leila narrowed her eyes and stepped forward, taking the two boys by the elbows and steering them towards the shop. “Come now; I’ve already phoned ahead to Mary. She’s expecting us.”

“What? Lei—”

“Shush!” She squeezed Lincoln’s arm and he quieted. When they got to the front door, she released them and pushed it open, gesturing them inside ahead of her so they couldn’t run away. Once they were in, she turned and summoned Chris and me. Chris obeyed immediately; I hung back.

“Look, if you guys are gonna be in there for a little while, then I think I’m just gonna do some quick sightseeing on my own. Call when you’re done, kay?” I turned, wondering where there was to go. And whether or not I had time to hit up the railroad while they were preoccupied.

“Oh no, ye don’t!” Before I’d even finishing turning, Leila was by my side, taking my elbow in her grasp as well.

“Whoa, what?”

“Ye’re coming too, Leslie,” she said firmly. “The ball is in six days. There’s no way I’m letting ye miss it!”

“Hang on, Lei, I’m not exactly a ball kinda gir—”

“Neither was yer brother and he still came with us. Now, stop it. Mary’s very excited yer coming. She’ll finally be able to make more than one dress.”

“Lei—”

My voice broke off as, with more strength than I would’ve expected, Leila all but shoved me into the cottage after the boys.

Mary’s shop was very, very small. The walls were all of dark wood, despite the stone exterior, and aside from the little checkout desk in front of the window, there only was a wardrobe, a three way mirror, and a little round step for her victim—er, client—to stand on while she fitted him or her. That was it.

Mary herself was quite the woman. With a wave of long black hair and bright green eyes that were younger than her years, she greeted us all as if we were old friends. Even me. She kissed each of Leila’s friends in turn, then cooed over Leila and her “growing beauty,” before finally turning to me and grasping my hands.

“Oh, and ye must be her cousin,” Mary cried, clutching me with her long, bony hands. They were warm and gentle, her grasp like a grandmother’s upon greeting her grandchildren again.

“And what a beauty ye are—look just like yer mum, ye do. Except for the hair.” Mary laughed as she lifted a piece of dyed purple and twirled it around her finger. “Yer mum ever did this, her mother would’ve spanked her, that’s fer sure. Her hair was too lovely to change though. Such a rich auburn, it was. Mind you, the thought crossed her mind a time or two, though.” She smiled and patted my cheek warmly.

Though the attention bothered me, I took an instant liking to the woman. Growing up in Connecticut, I’d never known the people Ma had grown up with. Ma only ever mentioned Gran at Christmas; the woman had died before Aaron and I were born. But here, Mary was telling me a piece of Gran I’d never known—her stickler tendencies that had kept her daughter in check as a teen. It was kinda nice to hear Ma and I weren’t so different. At a time like this, it definitely eased me a bit.

“Would ye like this color in yer dress, lass? Have ye a style in mind?” Mary wondered, tucking the hair behind my ear warmly.

I cringed and shook my head. “Look, about that…I’m not really into this kinda thing. I’ll just sit and watch Leila get all prettied up.”

As Leila opened her mouth to argue again, Mary let out a hoot of laughter. “Just like yer mother indeed, lass! Said the same thing when young Thomas would come in every year looking to get fitted for the next ball. Then again, he was trying to impress the lovely Brenna, so he had to make sure he looked brilliant.” She shot a wink over her shoulder at Leila.

I pursed my lips. “And did Ma ever cave?”

Mary’s eyes twinkled. “Every time.”

I blew out a breath as I saw my defeat. With a huff and a puff, I sank down on the nearest chair and sighed. “I call last,” I said at length, touching my nose to beat Lincoln and Owen to it. Together, they quickly caught on. Leaving Chris and Leila to battle for first.

Mary laughed again, clapping her hands together like a little kid. “Oh, I do love it when this ball comes around. Leila, come here, lassie. Yer first today.”

Leila tossed her purse at me, shooting me a pointed look as she did, and then skipped up onto the block in the center of the room. The moment she started chattering like a bird to Mary about this and that, I gestured to Lincoln to come and sit beside me.

“So…I take it this is a torture we’ve no choice but to endure?”

Lincoln shrugged. “You can’t fight Leila.”

“Ever tried?”

Lincoln lifted a brow. For a moment, I think he thought I was being completely serious. Only after I managed a small smile did he seem to relax. He shrugged. “Not as of yet. But I wouldn’t dare, either. The girl isn’t as weak as she looks.”

“You don’t think I can take her?”

He looked at me a moment, peering at me curiously. “Ya much of a fighter back home?” he wanted to know.

Wondering how real life fit into the joke, I lifted a shoulder modestly. “I can hold my own.”

“How well?”

“Haven’t lost yet,” I began, then stopped short when I realized I had, in fact, lost one. I looked away quickly, hoping beyond hope that I’d just brought the conversation to an end. Suddenly, I didn’t want to talk about this anymore.

Unfortunately, Lincoln didn’t seem to notice my change of attitude. “That’s good,” he said, his voice quiet. “That’s very, very good. But I wouldn’t test Leila just yet.” And the smile he sent me, though an attempt to lighten the mood, was still more serious than it should have been.

I turned away. I needed some air.

When did this room become two hundred times smaller?

“Oi, where you going?” Leila demanded the moment I got to my feet.

“I just need to go out for a second. I’ll be back soon; I promise.”

“Leslie—”

“Leila.” And for the moment our eyes connected in the mirror, she understood.

She nodded once. “Go get a drink, lass,” she said with a smile.

A drink. Yeah…that actually didn’t sound too bad right now. I nodded once, waved to the boys, then quickly made my way out of the shop before anyone could ask to come with.

I had no doubt in my mind that the second the door closed behind me, she’d explain to her buds why I’d had to leave. For a second, part of me resented her for that. It was no one else’s business why I was upset or what had happened to Aaron. But at the same time, everyone in this town had known my brother. At least for three months. And if Mary still remembered how my mom had acted twenty plus years ago, then of course everyone remembered the boy who had skateboarded in the village.

I started toward Bobby’s, simply because I didn’t know where else to go. A drink sounded like an awesome idea at the moment, and the fact that I didn’t have to worry about Ma and Dad catching me—again—made it that much better. I walked into the pub, making sure not to introduce myself to the bar keeper for fear of another “oh I knew yer mum story” and ordered a Budweiser.

“Make it a Guinness,” a voice said from beside me, right above my ear.

I turned abruptly and found myself looking up at a complete stranger. Instinctively, I tried to take a step back; the black sunglasses perched on his face brought back the one memory I already could barely forget, before I remembered it was the middle of the day and it was totally natural to be wearing them. Bobby hesitated, looking between the pair of us, and the stranger reached past me and laid a few coins on the bar. “Make it two,” he corrected himself, his voice somehow familiar.

After another moment’s hesitation, Bobby nodded, probably only agreeing since I didn’t disagree, and made his way down the bar to start on our orders.

I looked up at the stranger. He didn’t look away, didn’t lift a brow in annoyance. Despite the fact that I was staring at him like an idiot didn’t seem to bother him in the least. There was something about him…

Finally, as his words slid over my mind again, I remembered.

He smirked then, leaning an elbow on the bar. “Figured it out yet, love?” he teased in amusement.

I folded my arms and looked at him—the stranger from the railroad. “What, are you following me now?”

He chuckled. “Hardly. Though it does seem that way, doesn’t it?”

“Who are you?” I asked for the second time, gazing at him warily, taking in his features since they’d been invisible last night.

He was blond, a faded, white blond that reminded me of Draco Malfoy without the hair gel. He was about a foot taller than me, dressed in a white button-up, a loosely knotted tie, and black slacks belted at the waist. On his left hand, there was a small tattoo of flaming wings.

He smiled at my question, tilting his head to the side as he gazed at me.

“Who are you?”

“Leslie,” I said, hoping it would be cause enough for him to share who he was. “Your turn.”

“Aw, where’s the fun in that?”

He laughed again, taking both Guinesses from Bobby when they were brought to the bar. He nodded thanks to the bartender then jerked his head at me. “Join me?” he wanted to know, then started away before I could say no.

I rolled my eyes and followed, ignoring the suspicious look in Bobby’s eyes as they followed Tracks. Apparently, Bobby didn’t like the fact that this stranger was playing games with me any more than I did. But I could handle myself, as I’d told Lincoln. In the clear light of the day, there was no trace of menace left on his person.

I followed Tracks back to a far corner of the room, to a table right beneath a window streaming with sunlight, and sat opposite him. He placed my drink in front of me, then leaned back with a smile.

“How are you feeling today?” he asked, catching me off guard with the solemnity in his voice. I’d expected another joke.

My brows knit together in confusion. “What?”

“You’re not crying. Is that a good sign, love?” He took a drink of his beer.

I continued to gape at him as though he’d spoken another language. “You—” I broke off, shaking my head. “What’s it to you?”

“I just wanted to check in.”

“Why?”

He sighed and set down his beer. “Is it so strange that I wanted to make sure you were all right?”

“Yeah, a little bit. I don’t know you.”

He lifted his glass again, and saluted me. “Then consider the question dropped.” And just like that, he fell silent.

There wasn’t much I could do but follow his lead. I picked up my glass, swirled the contents a moment, staring down at them as though I’d never seen a beer before. This dude…I couldn’t figure out what his deal was. Why did he care? What was he doing here? And who the hell was he?

I looked up then, and found him staring out the window. The sunglasses hadn’t moved from their place on his nose, and the longer I stared, the more I saw the man who’d killed my brother.

“Could you take those off?” I asked, the words coming out before my brain could catch up.

He turned to me.

“The sunglasses,” I clarified, swallowing my pride. “Please.”

He continued to gaze at me a moment, then he set his glass down and leaned forward on the table. “Will you tell me what’s bothering you if I do?”

“Probably not.”

His lips twitched. “But it will make you feel better?”

“Yeah.”

He bit his lip and nodded once. “All right then, love.” He started to oblige when a loud ringing stopped him short. He hesitated and I winced when I realized it was me.

I groaned. “Sorry,” I mumbled, expecting it to be Leila. However, the number on the screen wasn’t familiar at all.

“Yeah?” I asked, watching as the guy let his hand drop, leaving his glasses where they were for the moment.

“Leslie? It’s Lincoln. Where are you, darling?”

I relaxed. For some reason, I felt much more at ease talking to Lincoln than my cousin. “I’m over at Bobby’s. Like Leila said.”

“Mind some company? Leila’s going to take a while.”

“I…” I broke off when the stranger in front of me suddenly rose. I covered the mouthpiece with my hand. “What are you—”

“Seems like you need a friend right now, love, and you don’t think I qualify.” He smiled, taking a little bit of the sting out of his words as he did. “Let the bloke meet you. But, just in case,” and he leaned forward then, as if he were telling me a secret. “I do enjoy the quiet of the railroad. You ever get lonely, look me up.”

He took his glass, and nodded it to me once more, before turning and disappearing out the back door. I stared after him a moment, caught somewhere between intrigued and confused, before I heard Lincoln calling my name on the other end of the phone.

I came back to myself. “Yeah, come on over,” I said, clearing my throat. “I’ll be sitting in the back when you get here.” I hung up before he could respond, then rose and hurried to the back door.

The way the stranger liked to act, I half expected him to have vanished into thin air as I yanked the door open. But no.

As I gazed through the stream of sunlight, I could see him, walking away, one hand shoved in his pocket, the other enjoying the Guinness. I watched him for a long moment. I couldn’t explain why, but I was more eager now than ever to go back to the railroad tonight.